If you have read this newsletter over the past eight years – you know that I have a love-hate relationship with giveaways. However, with so many companies vying for attention on the trade show floor, you need a way to grab the attention from the get-go. Contact the event coordinator and arrange to provide free logo imprinted canvas bags that attendees can use to carry the loot they collect throughout the day. Another option is to provide logo imprinted lanyards for the convention’s ID badges. If the show has 5,000 attendees – that is 5,000 billboards on the show floor with your brand. But let me tell you that bag better be great looking and that lanyard better glow! Not only will this branded item be one of the first objects that every attendee will come into contact with, it positions you as a leading company at the show.

If you are providing the bags or lanyards for the tradeshow, you have a unique opportunity to literally invite every attendee to your booth. This is your opportunity to stuff the bag or attach to the lanyard something irresistible that will drive attendees to your booth. For example, offer every visitor a scratch card or a fortune cookie that reveals a code that may unlock a prize vault at your booth or a chance to step into a Cash Cube Money Machine where they will have 30 seconds to grab at cash, funny money that can be spent on your products or services, or coupon vouchers for free offers.

This is your once a year moment to stress how important you are to your industry. Along the way a percentage of these clients will become lifers! Think this through – it is costly, but one less party or doubling up hotel rooms could pay for one of these in an instant! And this is especially good for smaller or regional shows – get your feet wet!